Detachable parts holder

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure includes a shaft and spindle assembly for retaining a part in a part processing assembly. The part is retained on the shaft via a downward force from a part hold-down assembly. The shaft is retained in the spindle assembly that is coupled to a turntable of the part processing assembly. The shaft includes an annular step that abuts against a portion of the spindle assembly to block downward movement of the shaft when the downward force is applied. In this way, the part is retained in a precise location relative to processing nozzles of the part processing assembly even after multiple parts are held down by the part hold-down assembly and processed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to, and is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 17,672,384, filed Feb. 15, 2022, which claims priority to and the benefit of pending provisional patent application 63/239,754 filed Sep. 1, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a parts holder, and more particularly, to a parts holder for a part processing apparatus. The present disclosure includes a system and apparatus of a removable parts holder for use in retaining parts in an automatic apparatus for processing parts. The part processing apparatus is similar to the device as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,897, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

A parts holder may be used in an automatic part processing apparatus for fully automatically processing a part or workpiece by methods such as shot peening and the like. A processing apparatus as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,897 uses a shaft and spindle assembly to hold up parts or workpieces in the apparatus. A part hold-down assembly is configured to apply pressure to the parts to maintain them in a fixed position on the shaft which processing occurs.

A problem exists in the art, however, in that existing parts holders tend to degrade over time and need to be replaced. In addition, there are a range of parts having different shapes and sizes that are processed in parts processing apparatuses. It would be worthwhile if parts holders could be easily replaced or swapped out during the course of processing operations. However, to date, there are no parts holders that can be easily replaced or swapped. Accordingly, what is needed are parts processing apparatuses with detachable parts holders.

This background information is provided to provide some information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present disclosure. No admission is intended, nor should such admission be inferred or construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present disclosure. Other aims, objects, advantages, and features of the disclosure will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings, which are given as a non-limiting example only, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a first example part holder, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts a second example part holder, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts a processing assembly of a larger parts processing apparatus, according to one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 4 depicts a parts holder securable to a shaft in a removable or detachable fashion, according to one or more embodiments.

The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the disclosure that are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, embodiments with the understanding that the present description is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure. The disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of structure, function, construction, or the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of various phrases and terms is meant to encompass the items or functions identified and equivalents thereof as well as additional items or functions. Unless limited otherwise, various phrases, terms, and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass all variations of such phrases and terms. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the disclosure. However, other alternative structures, functions, and configurations are possible which are considered to be within the teachings of the present disclosure. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the term “or” is to be considered inclusive.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the parts holder 14 In one or more embodiments may include a support 42 and a pin 44. A part 16 can be fixtured on a support 42, as illustrated in FIG. 1 . The part 16 may be of varying forms, such as a hollow component like an automotive gear component. In the case of the part 16 being a hollow component, parts holder 14 may be a pin 44 that extends from the support 42 through the cavity of the part 16 to help provide axial alignment of the components. It should be noted that the depiction of support 42 and pin 44 is provided for illustrative purposes only. Parts holder 14 may comprise various shapes and configurations depending on the shape of the parts used in part processing assembly 10 and the requirements of the processing operations performed therein.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the parts holder 14 in another example may include a support 43 and receptacle 45. A part 16 can be fixtured on a support 43, as illustrated in FIG. 2 . The part 16 may be of varying forms, such as a solid component like a rod component. In the case of the part 16 being a rod component, parts holder 14 may be a receptacle that extends from the support 43. The receptacle may include an opening 204 for receiving the part 16 to help provide axial alignment of the components. It should be noted that the depiction of support 43 and receptacle 45 is provided for illustrative purposes only. Parts holder 14 may comprise various shapes and configurations depending on the shape of the parts used in part processing assembly 10 and the requirements of the processing operations performed therein.

As shown in FIG. 3 , a processing assembly 10 of a larger parts processing apparatus is shown. The overall parts processing apparatus is similar to that as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,897, incorporated by reference herein. While the basic operation of this parts processing assembly 10 will be described hereinbelow, the primary focus of the present application will be on the structures and functions of a parts holder 14 and shaft 15 associated therewith that support a part 16 being processed in the processing assembly 10.

While not described herein, reference is made to the incorporated patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,897, with regard to the operation of the overall part processing apparatus. The processing assembly 10 receives a part 16 mounted on a parts holder 14, which is then processed in an automated manner. The processing in one or more embodiments includes automated fixturing of a hold-down assembly 11 against the part 16, rotation of the part 16 relative to processing nozzles and movement of the part on a turntable 24 through a processing path. For example, one type of process used with the processing assembly 10 may be peening. As shown in FIG. 3 , a series of nozzles 32 (e.g., peening nozzles) may be directed in a predetermined vicinity and direction of the parts carried on the parts holder 14. While the process itself is not the subject of the present application, the operation of the process is described because it highlights the need for the structures and functions of the parts holder and the shaft as disclosed herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the hold-down assembly 11 is used to hold the part 16 onto the parts holder 14 when processing occurs in the processing assembly 10. Specifically, the hold-down assembly 11 is configured to move downward onto the part 16 and apply a downward pressure or a downward force to the part 16 to retain the part 16 in a fixed position for processing. The hold-down assembly 11 In one or more embodiments includes an upper collar 58, a lower collar 48, and a resilient biasing member 54. The resilient biasing member 54 is shown by way of illustration and not for limitation as a coil spring or other compressive structure. The hold-down assembly 11 is carried on an upper portion of the processing assembly 10 with a shaft 50 providing a point of contact. The lower collar 48 is configured to engage with the part 16 to be processed. Specifically, an end or masking portion 52 can be attached to the corresponding lower collar 48 by use of a corresponding set screw, as illustrated in FIG. 3 .

The hold-down assembly 11 and its masking portion 52 apply the downward force to the part 16 being processed to retain the part 16 in a fixed position while processing occurs. In addition, the masking portion 52 of the hold-down assembly 11 may also be used to abut against a corresponding surface of the part 16 in order to block or mask processing of that surface of the part 16. During peening, for example, the surface of the part 16 is shielded by the masking portion, and the peening material exiting the nozzles 32 cannot act on the surface of the part 16 during the peening process.

The downward force applied to the part 16 by the hold-down assembly 11 provides stability and fixed retainment of the part 16 while processing occurs. Specifically and in illustrative embodiments, the nozzles 32 may be configured to peen the part 16 in a precise manner that reduces the amount of excess or wasted peening material and for energy used while the peening process occurs. Therefore, placement of the part 16 relative to the nozzles 32 may be predetermined to precise or specific measurements to maximize efficiency. In order to retain the part 16 in a sufficient manner and avoid unintended movement of the part 16 relative to the nozzles 32, a significant amount of downward force is applied to the part 16 through the hold-down assembly 11. This, in turn, causes significant force to be applied to the parts holder 14 holding the part 16.

When mounted on the parts holder 14, the part 16 is processed in the processing assembly by movement of the part 16 along the processing path indicated by arrow 1. The turntable 24 permits the part to travel along the processing path through the processing assembly. Specifically, the processing assembly is configured to carry the part 16 around the processing assembly by rotation of the turntable 24. The parts holder 14 holding the part 16 In one or more embodiments is attached to the turntable 24 by a shaft 15 and one or more spindle assemblies 17, which are partially shown under the bottom side of turntable 24 in FIG. 1 .

In addition to the turntable 24 being rotatable to carry the part 16 around the processing assembly 10, In one or more embodiments, the shaft 15 may also be rotatable relative to the turntable 24 in order to rotate the part 16 with respect to an individual nozzle 32, as illustrated by arrow 2. For instance, the shaft 15 of the processing assembly 10 is configured to extend through an aperture in the turntable 24 and is rotatable with respect to the turntable 24 via a spindle assembly 17 that attaches the shaft to the turntable 24. At least a portion of the spindle assembly 17 may be fixedly attached to a bottom surface of the turntable 24 to secure the spindle assembly 17 and shaft 15 with respect to the turntable 24.

The spindle assembly 17 in one or more embodiments may include a pulley assembly 27. The pulley assembly 27 may include a track through which a belt may be located to move the pulley assembly 27 in a circular rotation. Because the shaft 15 in this example is connected to the pulley assembly 27, the pulley assembly 27 is operable to rotate shaft 15. In this way, a part 16 moves with the turning of the turntable 24 and travels around the processing assembly to be exposed to multiple processing operations along the processing path (arrow 1). In addition, the part is also movable in a rotational direction (arrow 2) during processing at each of the processing operations, the part 16 being rotatable on the shaft 15 via the spindle assembly 17. In one or more embodiments

In one or more embodiments, the spindle assembly 17 may include a bearing assembly 18 that the shaft 15 rotates within. The shaft 15 may include an annular step that extends circumferentially outward from the shaft 15. The annular step of the shaft 15 may be configured to abut against an outer edge of the bearing assembly 18 to block movement of the shaft 15 through the bearing assembly.

Referring to FIG. 4 , In one or more embodiments, the parts holder 14 on which a part 16 is fixed is secured to the shaft 15 in a removable or detachable fashion, such that the parts holder 14 may be easily replaced with another parts holder 14. In one or more embodiments, the parts holder 14 may be secured to shaft 15 through a detachable coupling mechanism 201. The detachable coupling mechanism 201 In one or more embodiments is attached to a bottom end 203 of parts holder 14. The bottom end 203 of parts holder 14 is opposite to the top end 205 of parts holder 14. The top end 205 of the parts holder 14 is adapted for engagement with the part 16. The bottom end 203 of parts holder 14 is adapted to be removably connected with shaft 15 through employment of the detachable coupling mechanism 201. The detachable coupling mechanism 201 In one or more embodiments, may be secured to parts holder 14 with one or more fasteners 207. Examples of fasteners 207 include bolts and screws; however, other mechanisms may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As another example, the detachable coupling mechanism 201 may be formed as an integral part of parts holder 14. For instance, the detachable coupling mechanism 201 and parts holder 14 may be fabricated or cast as one piece.

In one or more embodiments, the detachable coupling mechanism 201 includes a first coupling component 209 and a second coupling component 211. In one or more embodiments, the first coupling component 209 is a circular base plate that is attached to the bottom end 203 of parts holder 14. In one or more embodiments, second coupling component 211 is a bracket, such as a ring plate that is and attached to first coupling component 209 and includes a recess 212. In one or more embodiments, first coupling component 209 and second coupling component 211 are centered and aligned along the axis of rotation A of shaft 15. In one or more embodiments, first coupling component 209 and second coupling component 211 may be welded together. In another embodiment, the detachable coupling mechanism 201 may comprise a single fabricated or cast component. That is the first coupling component 209 and second coupling component 211 may be the same piece. For instance, the detachable coupling mechanism 201 may comprise an annular flange that is attached to parts holder 14.

In one embodiment, shaft 15 includes a first end 213 for engagement with spindle assembly 17 and a second end 215 for engagement with detachable coupling mechanism 201. In one embodiment, a slot 217 is defined by the sidewall of shaft 15. The slot 217 In one or more embodiments has a first portion 219 and a second portion 221. In one or more embodiments, first portion 219 extends from the second end 215 of the shaft 15 into the interior of shaft 15 where it abuts the second portion 221. In one or more embodiments, the first portion 219 and the second portion 221 are shaped and dimensioned differently. For instance, the first portion 219 may have a rectangular configuration and the second portion 221 may have a circular configuration. In another instance, the second portion 221 may be wider than the first portion 219.

Referring further to FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, to secure the parts holder 14 and shaft 15 together, shaft 15 is positioned within recess 212 and a securement member 223 (e.g., a rod) is inserted through a first hole 225 in the sidewall of second coupling component 211, through second portion 221 of slot 217, and into second hole 227 in the sidewall of second coupling component 211. In one or more embodiments, due to the first portion 219 and the second portion 221 of slot 217 having a different shape and/or dimension, the securement member 223 may fit within second portion 221 of slot 217, but not first portion 219 of slot 217. Accordingly, the shaft 15 will be secured together with detachable coupling mechanism 201 and to parts holder 14. Therefore, to secure the parts holder 14 to shaft 15, a user places the detachable coupling mechanism 201 over shaft 15 and then inserts a securement member 223 through first hole 225 and out second hole 227. To release the parts holder 14 from shaft 15, the user withdraws the securement member 223 from second hole 227 and first hole 225 and lifts the parts holder 14 off of the shaft 15. In one or more embodiments, the securement member 223 is held in place at the first hole 225 and the second hole 227 by friction, fasteners, and/or any other retainment mechanism allowing for the replacement of the securement. In one or more embodiments, the securement member 223 is a pin. However, this example is not intended to be limiting.

By way of review, a part 16 is attached or fixed on the parts holder of the processing assembly 10, as disclosed herein and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,897. The part 16 is then captured between the parts holder and the hold-down assembly 11, with the part 16 being held in a fixed position by a downward force applied to the part 16 by the hold-down assembly 11. The hold-down assembly 11 carried on the shaft 15 is raised and lowered during the automated processing steps making axial alignment of the hold-down assembly 11 relative to the part 16 carried on the support 42 (e.g., with the pin 44 or receptacle 45) and by the application of force therethrough an example processing step. The downward force applied to the part 16 creates a significant downward force on a shaft 15 supporting the support 42, the shaft 15 being coupled to a turntable 24 at the bottom of the processing assembly 10.

The shaft 15 is attached to the parts holder 14 via detachable coupling mechanism 201. In one or more embodiments, shaft 15 includes a slot 217, which may include a first portion 219 and a second portion 221, which may be shaped and dimensioned differently. For example, the slot 217 may be tapered such that is becomes narrower (and/or extended such that it becomes wider) as it extends toward the second end 215 of the shaft 15. A securement member 223, such as a pin, may be inserted through a hole in a sidewall of detachable coupling mechanism 201 and through the slot 217, which due to the variance in its size and shape, thereby secures the securement member 223 (e.g., the pin) within, for example, through a pressfit. As a result, a parts holder 14 is readily removable and detachable from shaft 15. In one or more embodiments, the shape of the securement member 223 may be complementary with the shape of the slot 217. For example, if the slot 217 forms a V-shape, the securement member 223 may be shaped such that the side view of the securement member 223 is triangular.

The foregoing terms as well as other terms should be broadly interpreted throughout this application to include all known as well as all hereafter discovered versions, equivalents, variations, and other forms of the abovementioned terms as well as other terms. The present disclosure is intended to be broadly interpreted and not limited to the examples provided herein.

While the present disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments, the disclosure is not so limited. To the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications, uses, adaptations, and equivalent arrangements based on the principles disclosed. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within at least the known or customary practice within the art to which it pertains. It is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalent structures and functions without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A parts processing apparatus, comprising: a turntable; at least one spindle assembly coupled to the turntable, wherein the turntable is operable to move the at least one spindle assembly through a part processing path; a slotted shaft coupled to the spindle assembly, wherein the at least one spindle assembly is operable to rotate the slotted shaft; a parts holder adapted to hold a part as the spindle assembly moves through the part processing path; and a coupling mechanism attached to the parts holder, wherein the coupling mechanism is adapted to removably attach the parts holder to the slotted shaft.
 2. The parts processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slotted shaft has a first end, a second end, and a sidewall which defines a slot positioned between the first end and the second end.
 3. The parts processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the slot extends from the second end, toward the first end, and terminates before reaching the first end.
 4. The parts processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the slot extends from the second end, toward the first end, and extends through the first end.
 5. The parts processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the slot comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is shaped different than the second portion.
 6. The parts processing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first end is attached to the at least one spindle assembly and the second end is attached to the parts holder.
 7. The parts processing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the coupling mechanism has a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side is shaped corresponding to the first portion and the top side is shaped corresponding to the second portion.
 8. The parts processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the parts holder comprises: a support upon which the part rests; and a pin affixed to and extending from the support for insertion into a hollow component of the part.
 9. The parts processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the parts holder comprises: a support upon which the part rests; and a receptacle affixed to and extending from the support and comprising an opening for receiving the part.
 10. The parts processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises: a sidewall defining a recess and having a first hole and a second hole; and a securement member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is slidably engageable through the first hole and the second end is slidably engageable through the second hole.
 11. The parts processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spindle assembly comprises a pulley assembly having a track for receiving a belt.
 12. The parts processing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pulley assembly is connected to the slotted shaft for rotating the slotted shaft as the spindle assembly moves throughout the part processing path.
 13. A parts processing apparatus, comprising: a spindle assembly configured to retain a part being process and configured to permit rotation of the part, the spindle assembly comprising: a bearing assembly; and a shaft that rotates within the bearing assembly, wherein: the shaft includes an annular step that extends circumferentially outward from the shaft and is configured to abut against an outer edge of the bearing assembly to block movement of the shaft through the bearing assembly.
 14. The parts processing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the shaft has a first end, a second end, and a sidewall which defines a slot positioned between the first end and the second end.
 15. The parts processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the slot extends from the second end, toward the first end, and terminates before reaching the first end.
 16. The parts processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the slot extends from the second end, toward the first end, and extends through the first end.
 17. The parts processing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first end is attached to the spindle assembly and the second end is attached to a parts holder.
 18. The parts processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the slot comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is shaped different than the second portion.
 19. The parts processing apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a parts holder adapted to hold the part as the spindle assembly moves through a part processing path; and a coupling mechanism attached to the parts holder, wherein the coupling mechanism is adapted to removably attach the parts holder to the shaft.
 20. A parts processing apparatus, comprising: a turntable; at least one spindle assembly coupled to the turntable, wherein the turntable is operable to move the at least one spindle assembly through a part processing path; a slotted shaft coupled to the spindle assembly, wherein the at least one spindle assembly is operable to rotate the slotted shaft; a parts holder adapted to hold a part as the spindle assembly moves through the part processing path; and a coupling mechanism attached to the parts holder and engageable with the slotted shaft, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises: a sidewall defining a recess and having a first hole and a second hole; and a securement member engageable with the slotted shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is slidably engageable through the first hole and the second end is slidably engageable through the second hole. 